Velof is transported to the realm of Valen by the demoness who holds his heart (literally) in her hands. After some talk, the demoness convinces Valen that he can resurrect Velof even though Valen doesn't believe it. (note: Valen is a god, he just doesn't know it yet.) Valen agrees to try and it comes to past that Velof is risen from the dead. When Valen questions how it is so, the demoness explains to him that when the people of Cobblefield (now Cobblestone) began worshipping him and he began answering them, he made himself a god.
Valen then realizes that he needs to have a hand in the future of the world and approaches Velof about being his Avitar.
(At this point it will take more of a roleplaying aspect as this was done via PBEM and is copied here from my files.)
“Yes,” you say, “I accept your offer to become your avatar.”
Valen smiles, puts his hands on your shoulder and closes his eyes. You expect a bright light, or at least to feel power flow through you, but you feel nothing. A minute later Valen opens his eyes and backs up.
“Is that it?” you ask.
Valen turns towards the demoness. “Is that it?”
She smirks in response. “What did you expect? A glowing light? The flow of all mighty power? A crack of thunder?”
“Something like that,” Valen states.
“Then you have to use a little ‘umph’ when you transfer power,” she smirks. “Truthfully though, you’re only making him an avatar, not truly transferring your power.”
The next few days are spent learning things Valen can teach you: using a lance (the choice weapon of your god), using heavy armor, and also the history of the artifacts. (Note: I’ll give you the history and powers of the artifacts later.) He also teaches you how to ride a warhorse and presents you with a pocket size stone warhorse mount.
It is after one of your lessons that you happen to be walking around the new living area of your god when you notice a door cracked open.
“You are a young god,” you hear the demoness say. “Relatively week compared to the others that have mastered their power.”
You find it strange to hear her talk to someone else when you have her sword at your belt. How far away from the sword can she go?
“I know that,” Valen replies, “and I know that I can’t go against the other gods directly.”
“Then there is Gannon...” the demoness offers.
“Gannon, yes. And the dragon. They seem so small in comparison now.”
“But it is how you will step foot into your godhood. How you will show the world - and the other gods - that you will be reckoned with.”
“Yes.” He pauses. “Get me Velof.”
As soon as the words are spoken, you realize the demon is by your side. You see her smirk as she looks at the cracked door and back to you.
“Heard anything interesting?” she asks.
"I have heard a bit, as you speak loud enough to wake orcs under a magical sleep. But......... I presume that I am being summoned by Lord Valen, so please excuse me while I make haste to his counsel.”
“Yes, he is summoning you. Just like a slave - which I guess is what you are.” With that she disappears. You push open the door and walk into the room.
Valen stands in front of large open doors with white drapery hanging from it. He doesn’t seem to hear you come in. You wait a second and then clear your throat. Valen turns around slowly.
“I’m sorry to keep you waiting, Velof. I was considering your next move.” He walks from the window and motions for you to sit in a chair. “Because of the difference between where your comrades are and here, I am unable to send you back to them, so I have a different proposition for you.” He pauses. “I need you to do two things. First is to make sure King Alexander’s kingdom does not fall to your brothers evil minions. Second is to make sure my name is spread among those that share our ideals of honor. I need temples built in my name so when the war with Gannon is nigh, you will have the power to stop him. I need you to do these things for me.”
"I shall, and it will be done with utmost haste." I then turn to leave but then realize that I don't know how to get there from here.
I turn back and say, "I was about to attend to my duties, but I just realized that I do not know the way from here to there.
“The way shall be apparent when the time comes. We still have much work to do.”
By the time he’s done training you (1 month your time), you know:
Weapon Group: Spears and Lances
Armor: Heavy
Spells: Cantrips
Spells: Low
Weapon Focus: Lance
CHA + 2
Ride: +5 (your total is 16 then)
Your spellcaster level is 4 (basically you have gained 4 levels - you can spread the other points out as well (the bonus to stat, the skill points, etc) the feats you’ve received (see above) cover the feats for those levels though the Ride skill and CHA bonus are free)
For equipment, you have received:
Breastplate of Valen: a silver breastplate with gold detail - the front of which is the design of Valen (the hand of Torm inside the bell of a golden lance). For all intents and purposes it is treated as medium armor though it’s bonuses are those of platemail.
Bracers of Valen: Gold and Silver. (+2 to AC.)
Armored Boots of Valen: (Treat as Boots of Striding and Springing) They are silver and gold in appearance. (+2 to AC)
Amulet of Valen: (Treat as Holy symbol - also amulet of comprehend languages and speak language)
Helm of Valen: Gold/Silver Helm of True sight. (Note: The true sight only works with the visor down - he suggests not using it ALL the time).
Ring of Valen: Gold. Ring of Detect Evil.
A Lance +1 (He regrets not being able to give you Leorcon).
The last thing he does is place his hand over your heart and you feel as though you are being burned. Then the pain is gone and when you look down, you see Valen’s holy symbol burned into the flesh above your heart. “So you are never without my symbol,” he tells you.
After presenting you with everything he takes you back into the room he last talked to you. There you see a large picture hanging on the wall. The scene is from outside the capital city of Cruscellio, King Alexander Valerius the 3rd’s capital.
“Step through the picture and you will be where you see,” Valen tells you.
“I should ask, What is the state of the war, ...... Sharna and my fellow travel friends? As I do miss them dearly and miss their presence.”
“The volcano island acts differently than the rest of the world. My powers do not let me see into the island, though that may change with time. I will admit that I am surprised the demoness was able to pull you out of that timeframe and into ours. As for the war, I am afraid we’re losing it. Marat and the Marruspawn have halted Gannon’s advances through the desert, but Gannon has advanced around the desert. Little stands that Gannon does not control. Your friend, Vanzetta has been able to keep Gannon out of Cruscellio for now, luckily his father taught him to be a leader of many - though his love for his mare may cost him everything.”
“When I get there, if I have a question to relay to you will I be able to converse with you?”
“Only through prayers and dreams. It is the state of a god to never be able to walk the earth for an extended time - though through avatars this law can be bent but not broken. I will try to respond to you as needed if you have any questions.”
“It’s not like he has anyone else to listen to right now,” you hear the demon say bitterly in your head.
You step through the picture and literally find yourself exactly where the picture had shown - just outside the gates of Cruscellio. The guards which had been relaxed are suddenly at attention.
“Halt and Identify yourself!” one bellows.
"Good day, give me one moment to remove my helm and I shall,” you say as you remove your helm. "I am General Velof Ferren of Arecia, I have come on a mission from Lord Valen and request the audience of King Alexnder as soon as can be made possible.”
“Lord who?” one asks as he eyes you up. “I ain’t heard of no Valen.”
“Must be one of Gannon’s ‘Lords’,” the other replies. They approach you, and draw their weapons (long swords). “The only way you’ll see the king is if he grants you a pardon for treason.”
You consider drawing your flail, but you don’t want a bigger misunderstanding than is already occurring.
“Wait!” you hear a familiar voice call out from the gatehouse. “I know this man.” You turn and recognize Vanzetta as he approaches. He looks a lot older than you remember. Vanzetta approaches and greats you as a friend. “Brother.” he says.
“You know him?” a guard asks.
“Yes, I had thought I would not see him again, but the gods have shined upon us. This is Velof, one of the heroes that will defeat Gannon.” He looks beyond you. “Where are the others?”
A wide smile crosses your face as you greet Vanzetta with a quick hug and handshake. “Vanzetta, my friend, it has been such a long time! I shall tell you in a moment. How is Marie?”
“She is well. She worries when I head for battle, thinking it would be better if she were my mount, but I cannot risk her life again.”
“I was actually taken from this world to the next by means of death, but it seems that fate has smiled upon me. I awoke amongst the gaze of a young and new god named Valen. He has trained me as his holy warrior and messenger and has released me back to this world to spread his gospel for it will help with the war. As for my other friends and Sharna I do not know of their progress on the island as time is not the same there as it is here, I do hope that they are safe and successful.”
“Valen. He of our dreams? He did not seem a god to me though he did possess a quality I could not describe.”
“As I was saying to the guards I request that I have the audience of the king as soon as possible, my friend, for I must speak with him of business and the state of the war.”
“You may have that audience, but for the state of the war he would probably send you to me. The battle lines have been drawn and Gannon is winning as he crosses them - plows through them with his forces those that follow him willingly and those coerced into fighting for him. He has magic and power far beyond what we had heard. I have heard rumors that even Glanur is working for him, though I could not verify it. I will take you to the king.”
He begins heading for the castle. You see that people move out of his way as he walks. The guards you pass salute him.
As Vanzetta walks into the castle, no one tries to stop him He walks directly into King Alexander’s throne room. There are some mutters of disapproval from the King’s advisors, but other than that the people just remain quiet and step out of his way.
“Your majesty,” Vanzetta says as he kneels before the king. You kneel likewise. “I’m sure you remember General Velof whom you may remember better as Reagon.”
“Yes,” the king replies, “I do remember sir Velof. He had an.. incident... in the city. He’s also saved the city a few times so I had to be a bit lenient. Has he done something, Vanzetta?”
“No sir, but he did ask for an audience with you. He has news to share with you.”
“Hopefully good news,” the king says. “Well, let’s hear it.”
"Okay, forgive me for the story I am going to tell you is a bit long. I believe that the news that is coming to you is good news but it came at great cost, for to have the honor to be in the position I am, I'm afraid that I died. I later awoke amongst Lord Valen, the man that trapped the dragon thousands of years earlier and the one that fights with Gannon now. He was as surprised as I, as he did not yet know of his new godly state, until he had risen me. I spent long months learning his teachings and training before coming here to speak with you. For to have the power to defeat our common adversary a temple to Valen must be made. For those that pray to him will give him strength and in turn strength to me. As him and I are linked. Valen has told me that time is of the essence in this matter. For we all know that time is against us with this war."
You bow respectfully to the king.
The king looks thoughtful and then turns to Vanzetta. “What do you think, Vanzetta?”
“I am not sure, my lord. I too have dealt with Valen and while he did not refer to himself as a god, there was something different about him - a power that perhaps he didn’t even know about as Velof has said. But having traveled with Velof, I trust his judgement when dealing with these things.”
“I do know your views on gods as well, Vanzetta.” the king states.
“My views on gods deals with those worshiped in my previous lands. If Valen’s beliefs are different than those gods, I should have no problems with him.”
“Speaking of which,” the king turns back to you, “what are Valen’s views?”
“Duty, Loyalty, Protection,” you reply.
“Those are respectable values. I will leave the decision with Vanzetta.” He turns back to his advisors. Vanzetta stands an bows then turns to leave. You do the same and follow. As the two of you get outside the throne room he grabs your arm and leads you to a hallway.
“I don’t like this,” he says. “The king has been relying too much on my opinion and that of his advisors. It is as if he doesn’t trust himself enough to make a choice. It’s been about a year since he made a choice completely his own.” Vanzetta stops talking as you hear someone approach, then walk past. “We can’t talk here. I’ll meet you at the Happy Dragon in an hour.” He turns to leave.
You stand still as Vanzetta leaves thinking about what he said then you depart the castle and begin re-familiarizing yourself with the city. So much has changed since you left that your thoughts jump between wondering if Vanzetta is telling the truth about King Alexander and the changes wrought to the city. It is after about half an hour that you realize you’ve never heard of the Happy Dragon. And who ever heard of a dragon being happy? You think to ask someone for the location, but stop yourself as you remember Vanzetta’s secrecy. Could his secrecy have to do with treason? No, you push that brief thought out of your mind and begin looking for the Happy Dragon. Vanzetta said it had been a year since King Alexander made a decision on his own, but you remember that it was completely his decision on the punishment for you and Taliya - that hadn’t been a year yet. How bad was the time difference between the island and here?
You finally find the Happy Dragon far away from the eyes of the court. About as far physically and mentally as one can get from the castle. You almost wish you had changed out of your armor before stepping into this part of town, but it was too late to find an inn as you have to meet Vanzetta soon. As you walk into the tavern/restaurant, you see the dregs of society as they stop what they are doing and stare at you.
“Ay, luv,” a serving wench says as she approaches you at the door. “I thi’k ya’r at the wrong place, darlin’. Ya want ta be up ‘round the castle. That be where the bet’r jobs ‘r.” Her long, red hair is unwashed and her blue eyes are bloodshot. She looks as though she’s had many sleepless nights.
“The wrong place, maybe, but I’ll have a seat anyhow if you don’t mind. My feet are tired from walking so far at the moment.”
“Sure, darlin’. If you kin find a seat ya’r welcome to it.” She turns and heads back to the bar area. You pick your way through the crowd and find a seat as far in the corner as possible. Keeping your back to the wall, you keep an eye out for pickpockets as you contemplate this new development.
Why did Vanzetta have you come here instead of the tavern you’re used to? Why so far out of the way? What did he have to do for an hour? Who is he hiding this information from? What is the information? You sigh as you try to push the thoughts out of your mind as you wait impatiently for Vanzetta.
Ten minutes later, Vanzetta shows up looking a bit bedraggled. Instead of his armor, he is dressed down in commoners clothes.
“Sorry I’m late. I wanted to make sure you hadn’t been followed. I really should have told you to change.” He says, but stops talking as the serving wench shows up at the table.
“‘ello, luv. Yer regular?” Vanzetta nods.
“One for my friend too,” he says. She nods and heads towards the kitchen.
“Anyway,” Vanzetta whispers, “I’m sorry I had to bring you here, but the information I have can not be shared with anyone else. This is the only spot I’m sure is safe - so long as the King’s advisors don’t know about it.
“As I said, the king’s not made a decision of his own for at least a year. I think something happened a year ago that he either can’t or won’t talk about and I think one of his advisors is behind it. Since I spend so much time away from the castle, I haven’t been able to look into it. Marie’s been doing what she can, but since she’s only a woman at night, it’s been difficult for her. She would offer herself as a steed in hopes of hearing something, but all of the advisors know who she is so that wouldn’t work either. Do you have any ideas?”
“First of all,” you begin, “it wasn’t a year ago...” You consider what he’s been saying all along and the bewilderment crosses your face as you realize he has no reason to lie to you. “You say it’s been a year since he has made a decision on his own? How long has it been since I had left to the island?”
“It was about a year and a half ago that Marie, Markus and I left you and your companions to your destiny. It was with good luck that we arrived when we did. The Alligator Temple had decided to attack the capital. We were able to shore up the defense. I do hope your companions arrive soon. Devra will be ecstatic to introduce Arvinn to his son - nearly a year old he is.” Vanzetta grins as he talks about Devra and her son.
“I would suspect vanguards, minions of Gannon that have been sent to control the actions of the king and others. This has happened before so I would believe that it could happen again. How old is the king now? It could be the stress of the failing kingdom due to the destructive war.”
“I am not sure the king’s age, though I know he’s at least in his forties. It could be the stress of the war, but so far the kingdom has fared much better than those surrounding us.”
“Or is it possible that it is not the king at all, but a replacement?” you ask.
“I had considered that, but as I said, I am not around enough to investigate it. Marie may know more, but I don’t know.”
“I shall talk with Marie about the subject and hope to reveal the problem, but I don’t believe that she will have the answers we seek. There is a little that I can inspect, but I dare not intrude too much. I will spend some time around the castle to try and discover the root. Also, since the king cannot decide for himself, what is your verdict on the address that I had made to the king?”
“I hesitate to build a temple to one that is not yet considered a god, as it will take resources away from the war. If it would, in effect, be a better solution than more armor and weapons then I’m for it for the armor and weapons seem only to be keeping the enemy at bay and not pushing them back. Though I still hesitate because I have seen few good things come from worshiping gods that supplant their own ideals and values for our own. Don’t get me wrong, I believe the ideals you stated for Valen are just, I have just seen good ideals get twisted to evil purposes. For example, though I hate Baccob and all he stands for, I do not hate magic in general because hating magic would cause me to hate Marie for that is what she is. It is just the ideals and values of Baccob had been twisted and used against Marie and I that causes my hatred. But though I hesitate, I trust you and will do what I can to see the temple get built. Tell me, how mighty must this temple be? Where shall it be located?”
“It need not be excessive, for that would not be Valen. Just large enough to hold 100 persons plus a podium. The only extravagance is 2 statues in the likeness of Valen at the front of the hall. Placement shall be a tough consideration. If placed at the outer band of the nobles quarters closest to the poor districts it shall help in keeping the peace. Also, it should raise the moral of the poor and noble alike. Would you agree?” you say.
“While I agree in idea, practically it would be difficult. The nobles hate to visit any place that those poorer than them visit - they believe it ‘lowers their status’. This is why most noble houses - including the castle if you think of it - has their own altar to the gods that mean most to them. Though if we wanted some nobles to visit, that would be the only way. Though the poor can also have their issues sharing a building with the nobles. In trying to unite the two, you may end up with neither. You know, all of this would be easier to do if I were not so cursed. Perhaps you can convince your god to remove it?”
“It is not necessarily bring together the different classes as I realize that that would be impossible. Instead there would have to be separate services at different times, or possibly on different days. Or even a Temple with 2 sides, one for Commoners and one for Nobles...?
“I shall consult with Valen, but I will not know a definitive answer for at least possibly several days. I will do my best on the matter my friend.
“It would also be my honor to help you with matters in the army, as I will not be going far for a while at least. As you may know I do specialize in strategic planning. Would you accept?” you finish.
“Ah, I had misunderstood your reasoning for placing the temple where you wanted it. I thought it was to unite the two under Valen. As for my curse, I would appreciate if you would approach Valen about it as it has become even more of a burden than it was before.
“As for the army, I would appreciate any help you could give. I was considering having you bunk with the guards so as to give me eyes and ears there, if you would, though I will not force it on you. A man of your rank should have his own quarters and you will have them if you so choose. I am going to have to leave soon, is there anything else you need to know?”
“I will bunk with the guard for the time being,” you say, “as to bring information to those it is needed. I would like you to prepare quarters for me for I do expect to find things that are, well... out of place with the guard... and find them quickly.
“Where is the bunking for the guard now? This city has changed so much since the last time that I was here that I really don’t know where I am anymore. I will also need to know where it is that I can find you day or night.”
“The barracks for the castle guards is still beside the castle - as it was before. It seems best to have the guard be able to quickly defend the castle if the need arises. There is a smaller outer guard barracks for those that man the towers and patrol the city. That is located by the main entrance - easier to protect the gate if the need arises. That barrack is new as of my coming here. I did not care to have all the guards in the same place. Those that guard the castle know far too much to share with those that guard the city - much more than the cityguard need to know. It is with the castle guard I will have you bunk.
“As to where you can find me day or night: By night, in my Nightmare form, I try to find the edge of Gannon’s army to know how far they’ve traversed through the lands - unless there is need for me to be here due to imminent attack. By day, in my human form I am usually doing my job as general to the king’s guard when I am here. That would entail either ether reporting to the king on the happenings of Gannon’s army, the king’s own army, or the city guard or castle guard. Usually I do not have the freedom I have now to talk to you. To find me, you can always approach Marie either in her natural form or that of the Aspiri - she will always know where I am and take you to me if possible or set up a way for us to meet if she cannot take you to me. It’s a blessing and a curse to be so connected to her that no distance can separate us.
“And now, forgive me for the sun begins its decent and I must go. If you wish to wait, Marie will be here shortly and be able to take you to the guard barracks. I know it seems strange for me to let Marie walk in the area that surrounds this Tavern, but those that live here know not to mess with her or deal with a Nightmare. I must bid you goodnight.” He rises to leave.
“I will not hold you up, my friend. I shall see you in the morn.”
You wait for Marie to show up and as you wait, the serving wench shows up with food and looks quizzically at Vanzetta’s empty seat.
“Na like ‘im, to up an’ leave wi’tout ‘is regular,” she says. “I suppose ya’ll be havin’ it den?” Before you can even respond she’s already placing the dishes in front of you. She places a flagon of beer on the table as well and a couple of glasses. “I’ll be back in a few, luv.”
You check your money and find that seems to be the only thing that didn’t resurrect with you. Either that or you (unbeknownst to you) made your first donation to Valen.
Marie shows up before you are able to get the attention of the serving wench.
“It is good to see you again, Velof. Vanzetta was happy to see you as well, I am not sure he expressed that to you very well. I see you are eating. I will take you to the barracks when you are done.”
“Oddly enough it was supposed to be Vanzetta’s regular dinner, but he left before it came out. Although it seems as though the only thing that was not resurrected with me was my coin. I do not want to leave the overworked serving maid without any compensation. Is there any way I could borrow a silver till the next time we speak?”
“Ah, if it was Vanzetta’s, I’ll just tell Anna that he will pay his bill tomorrow as he had urgent business to attend to. You don’t mind if I share then, do you? I am really getting tired of hay and grass as my main meals,” she says as she helps herself to some of the food.
“Have you seen anything out of place by the castle? Anyone that comes and goes excessively often? Or someone that never seems to leave the castle at all?”
“As I have told Vanzetta, the only one that seems to leave the castle at night more than his station requires him is the King himself. Though I do not know why, perhaps Devra does as it is her counsel that he usually heads for. Vanzetta would not hear more as he believes highly in the king and in Devra. Even now he tells me to stop speaking such nonsense.” She sighs in exasperation. “He says he knows neither of them are dopplegangers - he has a way to tell, though he will not reveal it to me. If he can hide this from me, I wonder what else he can hide.” She pauses as though having an internal conversation - which it seems she was when she begins again. “He pleads his innocence, but how can I trust him?” You notice a tinge of jealousy in her voice.
When the food between you is gone (whether you helped or not), Marie rises. “The barracks he wishes you to stay at are those for the castle guards, but I wonder if you would not get more information out of the city guards for those are the ones that see who walks about at night - if they are not paid to forget. Perhaps they have seen something you would be interested in. Which would you like me to take you to?”
“I shall be spending some time at both, although I will be bunking with the castle guard tonight and if I do not find what I need to hear I will go to the city guard. Thank you for your company this evening.”
“You’re very welcomed, Velof. That comes from myself and Zarik.” She smiles warmly as she says the name. “I had forgotten how nice it was to say his name. Come, I’ll take you to the castle barracks.”
As you follow Marie back towards the castle, you notice that even though she does get a few stares, none of them approach her. You are not sure whether it is because of your presence or if it is as Vanzetta had said, because they’d know they’d have to deal with a Nightmare. How could all of these people know that? Even as you speak to Marie, you notice newcomers try to find a place to lay in the already overpopulated Beggar’s Field.
“They arrive day and night,” she says as she notices where you are looking. “Zarik won’t let King Alexander turn anyone away even though other advisors insist that soon he’ll have to or else there will be no money for anything else. After I see you to the barracks I will return to tend to the newcomers. Unless you wish to join me.”
“I shall join you with the newcomers at least for a little while, as I know how it is to be a refugee. That and I may find someone in the crowd of newcomers that will shed light on the situation,” you reply to Marie.
“Then let us go.” She changes direction and begins heading toward Beggar’s Field with you in tow. Many of the refugees seem to know her and brighten at her, others - the newer ones - seem afraid, as if they expect even this little welcoming to be coming to an end. “Peace, friends,” Marie says calmly. “Are there any here that need help?” she asks as she moves into the crowd. “Is there anyone that needs some healing?” She pulls out a potion and it is rudely grabbed by a man next to her and he gulps it down quickly. “Sir, you were not of dire straights. That potion should have been used for someone that needed it.”
“I needed it,” the man says drunkenly as he leers at her. “Then again, I need some company too.” He begins reaching for Marie.
As the drunk reaches for Marie, you grab his arm and pull him violently up. “Where are your manners man? You dare to harm one of the few that will help you?” As you hold the man, he goes to pull his arm away when he looks at you and begins to stare at you.
“I’ve seen your face before. Who are you?” He seems suddenly sober.
You lower your visor to look at him through it. The man turns as white as a sheet. “You...” he whispers and yanks his arm away. He pushes his way through the crowd that had gathered. You notice nothing unusual about him through the visor - but it looks like he’s seen a ghost - or worse.
“I’m alright, Velof.” Marie says. “Let him go. There are others that need healing. And perhaps some that need to find their faith.”
You look to Marie. “I just wonder what he meant by his look and his statement,” you say as you raise up the visor so no-one else will be scared. “Anyone in need of healing?” you call out to the crowd. “Anyone?”
As you and Marie work the crowd, your mind continues drifting back to the drunk. You don’t remember ever meeting him, but with your job as General of the Queen’s army in the Blue Hills, he could have been one of the men under you. Or possibly... and the thought scares you... could he be mistaking you for your brother?
You help Marie for a couple of hours, using your newfound spell casting abilities. Marie seems impressed by them and you finally get to see her use her magic for the first time. Mostly she’s handing out potions, but once in a while she actually casts a spell. When the two of you have done everything you can do, she takes you to the barracks. You feel drained in a way you’ve never felt before - must be because of the spellcasting - it affects you differently than swinging a weapon does.
You want to ask questions of the guards, but find you’re too exhausted. As soon as you are shown to a bunk, you fall into bed without even taking off your armor and find yourself asleep.
The dreams come to you, but they are not good. The face of the drunk haunts you, but you still can’t place him - in your dreams he’s someone you torture - but you’ve never tortured anyone.
You wake in the morning feeling hardly rested. As you wonder about the dream, you think of the possibility that it could be a premonition, but wonder what would ever possess you to torture someone like your dream. You glance at the sword as you wonder that. Could it one day possess you to that point? How long is it going to take to get rid of that demon? How long will you have to carry it around? And what exactly is it you’re supposed to do with it? You begin to get a migraine as you consider all of these things. You remember this feeling. You’ve felt it before - when your brother left you to die on the granite floor.
You rise from the bed, every bone in your body aching, and slowly remove your armor and stow it away. Hesitantly you touch the sword.
“Trying to figure out how to get rid of me already?” you hear a familiar voice say. You drop the sword and kick it away from you out of sight. “Fine, I know when I’m not wanted,” the demoness says and then shuts up. At first you think she’s teasing you, but when you don’t hear her speak to you after a few minutes, you pass back out.
A few hours later, you wake up and rise to do your ritual prayers to Valen. Your body still hurts, but you find it is now bearable. After your rituals it seems even more so. As you finish, you hear some guards enter.
“What do you know, he is alive. Vanzetta won’t let anyone else near Marie, but he’s here for one day and she’s already tired him out. Lucky S.O.B.”
You rise up hastily and approach the guards. “I would hold thy tongue with such slanderous innuendos! You should know of the truth before you speak, for if you did, you would know that I spent the late hours assisting refugees.”
“Sure you were,” one of the guards state unbelieving. “If I had a cute little filly like her, I’d be ‘helping refugees’ too. I’ve got a ‘refugee’ she can help,” he finishes with a wink and an obscene motion to his friend.
You cast silence on him and then smile. “You have gotten what you deserve. Now, have a good day.” The guard smirks and begins to try to say something. Upon not being able to make a sound, he grabs a hold of his friend and begins making motions.
“What’d you do to him?” his friend asks. You decide it would be better to leave now then to listen in on the conversation in the guardhouse.
“He’ll be fine in a little while,” you state as you leave. It’ll probably be better if you talk to Vanzetta anyway. You have a few questions for him - like where the front line of Gannon’s troops is. It takes a little bit to track him down, but you find him having lunch in the Sleeping Horse Inn.
“Good afternoon friend,” you say as you approach Vanzetta. He smiles at you and motions for you to sit. “I suppose that being a good Samaritan can have negative effects,” you say as you sit down. “Last night, I accompanied Marie to Beggar’s Field to assist with the refugees and it seems that some guard in the barracks are passing rumor including Marie and myself. Which is most certainly blasphemous untruths.” Vanzetta nods.
“I heard those rumors as well this morning. Is it very well that I knew whom she was with or else there may have been trouble. It is not that I don’t trust Marie, I just think...” He shakes his head. “Anyway, it is good to know she was in trustworthy hands. Sometimes I hate the fact she goes to Beggar’s field every night, but I know someone needs to take care of the sick and wounded. The ‘clerics’ of the various gods are ‘too busy’ doing the duties their gods have assigned them. The magic users are busy researching and developing spells to help defend us and defeat Gannon. That leaves Marie.”
“I am most curious to the location of the front line,” you state after a moment.
“The front line varies day to day, but as of last night it was west to the alligator temple, north to just beyond the northern capital, east to the ocean and south just beyond our borders. Murat has told me that the desert still remains without contamination.”
“Has there been any scouting that has seen Gannon recently?” you ask.
“Any scouts I have sent to find the location of Gannon have not returned. Though I do know the location of most of his mages.” You see him flinch a bit.
“Would you mind me joining you on a reconnaissance mission?”
“I would be honored. Maybe then I can explain the importance of each of our sections for attack.”
“It does not surprise me that none of the scouts that have been sent to scout out Gannon have returned. It seem odd that he would let the bulk of his Mages be discovered, I would have to believe that it would be a strategical move for Gannon. To me, that is a snare trap waiting to be sprung. As for the line being out that far still is a sign of hope that we will have time.”
“It is easy to find his mages if you know who they are. They believe they are too powerful to be found by magic - yet true names are a powerful thing.”
“Shall I be joining you tonight on your scouting? If so, I shall get a bite to eat and go ready myself.”
“Tonight should be fine..” Vanzetta begins then looks up towards the door and stands up. “Devra...” he says.
“Vanzetta! Reagon! Or is it Velof now? Good to see you again,” she rambles off. “How is my husband?” Held onto her waist is a boy about 1 year old.
“Last I saw him he was very well. I was on the island far to the north and west of the mainland with Arvin and the rest of my friends when it seems to be fate had taken my life from me. Although I had passed, it seems that my usefulness had not lapsed as of yet, and I found myself risen amungst a new god, Valen.
“I had trained for months on the plan of the gods, learning his ways and when the time came, I was sent back here to build support for my lord for the strength that he received from worship will be used to end this war for the side of good.”
“So you haven’t seen him for months? I hadn’t thought it would take this long to retrieve the items. When he sent a note from Volcana
“Devra,” Vanzetta begins, “Velof has explained that the time is different on the island than it is here. That is why they’ve been gone so long. To them it wasn’t as long as it was to us.”
Devra looks downcast. “I was hoping to introduce him to his son.” She looks back up at you. “Well, you look good, Velof.” Her voice tells you that she really wished it was Arvin here instead of you. “I should be going.”
Vanzetta stops her. “Devra, please, join us. You’ve closed your bookstore for lunch so why don’t you have some? I’ll buy.” She smiles warmly at him.
“I can’t today. Maybe tomorrow.” Before you know it she’s out the door. Vanzetta sits back down.
“She’s trying to hide how worried she is about Arvinn. She’s been having nightmares recently about his death. She also mentions ‘King Ty’.”
“Oh, Damn that bastard. I would so much love to wrap my hands around his slimy neck and...” You continue on in such manner until the two of you are done eating. After you finish you notice Vanzetta grinning at you.
“I never realized how much you hated that man. One of these days you’ll have to tell me exactly why you harbor such hatred for him. The last I heard of him, he was in the Blue Hills of Arecia. Because of Devra’s dreams, I try to keep tabs on him. I had expected Gannon to also be in the Blue Hills, but he does not seem to be. Come, it will soon be time to go scout.” He stands and pays the bill. You follow him out of the Inn/Tavern.
You are almost surprised, but in hindsight you wonder why, to see the Aspiri that is Marie standing by the woods outside of town. You notice a look of complete love cross Vanzetta’s face as he leaves your side and walks to her. It is as if neither of them see you anymore as they stare at each other. In the background, the sun begins to set.
For the first time you are able to see close up the change that happens between the two of them. Aspiri turns to Marie, Vanzetta turns into a nightmare. For not even a second the two of them are in human form and you can see how good they look together. In that brief moment you understand why the two of them are able to handle the curse caused by their love. In that brief moment, Marie falls into her lover’s arms, only to wrap her arms around the neck of the Nightmare. You see tears immediately begin to fall from her eyes upon the completion of the change. Then she notices you.
“I’m sorry, Velof, I don’t mean to cry,” she says as she wipes away the tears.
Marie runs off before you are able to say anything. You sigh and get on the Nightmare. He takes off, heading north to Tanalorn. The distance barely takes an hour to cover before he lands in a clearing in the woods just south of the city. You dismount and follow him to the edge of the woods where he turns to you, stamps his hoof and gives a snort. He then turns and walks away. You begin following him and he turns around again and stamps his hoof and snorts. After a couple more tries of following him, you finally understand that he wants you to stay put, so you watch as he gallops off to the city. You see him approach the gate where he lets out a nicker. A few minutes later, a guard comes and hands something to him. The guard watches as the nightmare turns around and heads back towards you. By the time the nightmare gets to you, the guard is gone.
You notice that the nightmare carefully holds in his mouth some sealed envelopes. You reach out and the nightmare lets you take them from him. You then proceed to mount the nightmare again. He flies off, heading west even though you can see the fires of the enemy within a days march of the capital to the north. The nightmare flies for about 5 minutes and then he lands, but continues running with you on his back. If flying with a nightmare in the sky is exciting, riding one running full bore is the scariest thing you’ve ever done - and that includes dying. Luckily you don’t have to try to control him as he turns every which way to avoid trees, roots and branches lying along the path he has chosen. Then, after a five minute run, he slows down.
Carefully he walks up to a hill and then stops. You climb off his back. He pushes down on your back until you are crawling on the ground and then he begins headbutting you to get you to climb up the hill. You get the idea and crawl to the top - it takes about ten minutes before you are able to look over the crest and you see why the nightmare didn’t fly all the way.
Campfires light up the sky on the hill across the valley from you. Gannon’s army, ready to advance into Tanalorn. If that’s the case, who was within a day’s ride to the north? Or was it more of Gannon’s army and this is just a second wing in case the first falls? You wouldn’t put it past him to make sure the city was taken - if not with the first attack then definitely with the second. As you watch, you notice some commotion and your attention is immediately drawn to it.
In the center of a ring of fighters is a woman. As you look at her, the ring on your finger begins to burn. You had noticed it becoming warmer as you approached, but now it felt as though your finger was on fire. True evil, pure evil - you are sure it’s resonating from her. There seems to be something wrong with her face, but from here you’re not sure what it is. You hear a soft neigh and turn towards the nightmare. It looks like it’s time to go.
After getting down the hill, you mount the nightmare again. He takes off running and after five minutes takes to the air again. You’ve only been out about 3 hours and you’ve already seen more than you thought you would. Where would he take you now?
Your answer comes when he banks to the south as if to head back to Metellus, but before he reaches the capital, he lands. Ahead of you, you notice a building that looks like it was burned ages ago. Even the light covering of snow doesn’t hide the dark black charcoal of the wood. It is when you hear the river in the distance that you recognize where you are - The Restful Knight’s Inn.
Shocked by what you see, you dismount from the nightmare and slowly make your way to the burned out shell of the inn. As the anguish consumes your mind you fall to your knees and scream out with anger and hurt in your voice, “Ty! I shall find you and I shall give you the fate that which you deserve.”
Your eyes begin to mist over as you rise from your knees and head back to the nightmare and mount him for the ride back. As he takes to the air you realize you must find Sharna to keep the promise you made to Barget for now that is all that remains.
It takes you a few minutes to realize the nightmare isn’t heading back to Metellus, but instead is heading southwest. A few minutes later, you see the Alligator temple rising out in the distance. It seems a lot more active than it was when you and your comrades were here earlier. He flies around the temple once, keeping a good distance between you and it, but even then you can tell you’ve been spotted by the ground troops of the temple as they point and some of them even try to shoot arrows at you. The nightmare doesn’t seem to care, but as you notice an obvious cleric - human not alligator - exit the temple, the nightmare takes off to the south quickly. You feel the effects of a spell wash over you just before you’re out of sight of the temple.
A few minutes later, the nightmare flies southeast until he hits the main road from Metellus to the southern country. You’ve not had the pleasure to visit it, but during your days in the Blue Hills, you remember it being referred to as a primal place. As you approach the edge of Metellus, you notice that the road begins to break up and disappear as though you’re not invited to advance any farther. At the edge of the very thick woods which form a tunnel to enter into the country, the nightmare stops. You see him look left and right before he takes a cautious step into the tunnel. Two more steps and he stops again. You see an ear twitch as though listening for something in particular, then suddenly they lay back as the nightmare quickly backs out of the tunnel just before it closes on you. For a second, you think the trees have teeth, but it must’ve been the darkness of the night playing tricks on you.
The nightmare turns and heads north. Fifteen minutes later, he lands outside Metellus. You know there are a couple more hours of the night, but with your thoughts consumed again by the destruction of the Restful Knight’s Inn, you aren’t upset that your night has already come to an end with the nightmare. You head into the capital.
Although your mind is wondering where Sharna is, you realize that waking a mage at this hour would only piss him off which would be bad for you, so you head to the barracks. This time, you take your armor off before passing out on your bed. The nightmares come immediately.
You dream of Ty forcefully removing Sharna from you. She reaches for you and screams your name, but you can not act. You’re bound by something, you’re not sure what. On his head, Ty wears a crown depicting him as king. You feel as though you’ve failed miserably in your missions. “Sharna,” you say and reach for her as they disappear into the distance. You wake to cold water being poured over you.
“Teach ya to cast a spell on me, ya rat,” a voice growls. Opening your eyes, you see it is the same guard that you silenced yesterday.
You cast create water over his head and laugh as he gets drenched. You see the anger darken his face and before he can retaliate, you quickly cast sanctuary and touch yourself as the target. He comes at you and balls up his fist and goes to hit you. For a second you’re afraid your spell didn’t work, but he suddenly stops. You see him get angrier as he tries to fight the spell. Finally he storms off.
“I’d be wary of settin’ off Roland,” you hear a voice say from your left. You look over and see a man pulling off his armor. Obviously he had the night shift. “He’s never been quite right, if you know what I mean.”
“Believe me,” you say, “I did not want to set him off. He just does not know when to keep his mouth shut.” The man just grunts in agreement. “Speaking of shut mouths, have you heard or seen anything out of the ordinary?”
“You mean other than you coming in here even though you’ve not worked the city guard? There have been a few things, but nothing more strange than the nightmare and Marie. But I’m afraid I am one of those that knows when to keep their mouth shut.”
“Well that can be a good trait. It keeps the prying ears at bay. As for guard duty, I have to find.. D I R T,” you say the letters slowly and he seems to get the idea, “if you know what I mean.” He nods. “But I have already said too much on the subject. I shall be getting ready to go for now. If you see anything odd, let me know.”
“I shall,” he replies.
You don your armor (the only real set of clothing you have - you may need to bring that up to Vanzetta) and head out. Speaking of Vanzetta, you reach to where you put the letters from Tanalorn and pull them out. He’ll want to see these, you’re sure. You head off to where Vanzetta usually takes his meals, but he is not there. Knowing where the Apiri usually is, you head directly for her instead of trying to find Vanzetta on your own. Luckily she is there and you approach her and explain about the letters and the need to find Vanzetta. After a second she pushes you away and you assume your message got to him so you head back to the place Vanzetta usually eats.
You’re already enjoying your breakfast when Vanzetta shows up about a half hour later.
“Forgive me, Velof, I was in with the king when I got the message from Marie. You have the letters?” You pull them out and show them to him. He breaks the seal on the first one. “Tanalorn is lost,” he says as he reads. “The king and his family will be arriving as quickly as possible.” He puts the letter down and looks at you. “We shall have to see if we can haste his arrival. I believe Marie would be up to the task of taking you to the caravan so you can appeal to the king’s sense of duty to leave his family in your capable hands as Marie brings him here for protection.”
He opens the second letter. “Sanyor says that the guard has been compromised. He is not sure who is betraying his trust, but someone is. The enemy had known of the approach of his spies before they arrived and set a trap for them. He expresses concern for my safety as he believes they now know of the nightmare’s attachment to the communication between Tanalorn and Metellus. If he does not meet me at the gate tonight, I must assume he is dead.” He looks back at you. “Sanyor is a pessimist, but I trust his judgement. We shall have to remove him from the guard tonight if he lives. He can help us here. With Tanalorn lost I could use more trustworthy people on my watch.”
The third letter he keeps sealed. “The request of the king’s arrival. I shall tell him that we’re going to hasten the event so to expect him on this day instead of two weeks. Does this meet with your approval?”
“My approval is not required on this, and you know that my friend, for you already know my answer. The only thing left is for me to get the rest of my gear.”
“I may not require your approval, but I thought perhaps you may have other ideas - or plans. I would not intrude on anything that you are required to do by your god. I also would not require you to do anything you do not wish to do, which is why I asked your opinion and your approval. This will take a bit of time, I do hope you’re well rested.”
You head out to get the rest of your gear as Vanzetta heads out to the king. As you grab your gear, your acquaintance that warned you not to upset Roland, looks at you. “I would be wary of your gear. Roland was messing with it earlier.”
You smile at your informant and then kneel and carefully go through your gear. You find that your waterskin has sand in it and your bag has a snake - possibly poisonous. Either that or the one that looks like it. Either way, it doesn’t want to come out of your bag.
You close your bag as tight as you can and then go hunt down Roland. After you leave the barracks and hunt him for about fifteen minutes, you realize that your informant probably could have told you where to find him. Before you find Roland, you run into Vanzetta leaving the king’s chamber.
“Ah, ready to go?” he asks.
“Almost,” you say strained as you continue walking, “I have a saboteur to deal with.” You stop and turn towards Vanzetta then walk up to him. “Where would Roland be?” you ask, almost order.
“Roland? If I’m lucky, he’s at his post. Why? What has he done?”
“Trying to poison me is his task, I suppose,” you say as you begin to calm down. “He is the son of a Troll that had a few words about your Marie, and I shut him up before he found my fist in his mouth. Only to protect her honor, I swear. But back to the poison. There is a snake in my pack that certainly looks poisonous and my informant in the brig told me of Roland’s tampering of my equipment.”
“Ah, Roland.” Vanzetta nods as if in agreement. “I am truly sorry that you have been put in the middle of this. By protecting Marie’s honor, I’m afraid you’ve shown you side with me in the dispute between he and I. He has never forgiven me for replacing his father as captain of the guard and as such will do anything against anyone he sees as an acquaintance - or at least on friendly terms - with me. I should have warned you about him and I’m sorry I didn’t. Let us check his post. If he is not there, I’m afraid I know where to find him.” He begins heading towards the castle gates. “By removing his father from his post as captain of the guard, I took away Roland’s only claim to power. My understanding is he relished his position as eldest son of the captain of the guard. So much so that he’d been using it as a bribing tool for those that would normally be taken to the stocks. He found it extremely useful for the women, if you know what I mean.”
You arrive at the castle gates. Vanzetta walks up to one of the armored guards.
“Garin, where is Roland?” he asks. “Wasn’t he to replace you?”
“Roland never arrived at his post, sir.” Garin replies, saluting Vanzetta.
“I should have known he would choose today to sluff off,” Vanzetta mutters then turns to you. “We shall have to get Zarin from the stocks to replace Garin. I’m afraid our search for Roland must be put on hold until we rescue the king of Tanalorn though. I cannot waste more time on him right now.”
Vanzetta leads you to the stocks in the middle of town where there is a guard standing guard over a man with his head in the stocks. Vanzetta walks up to the guard.
“Zarin, I need you to replace Garin at the castle gates.”
“But what of this lawbreaker here, sir?”
“He shall be removed from the stocks and taken home where I’m sure his wife will make him understand his error so he will never repeat it.”
“I’d rather wait out here, captain.” the man in the stocks says.
“Ay, Mudrick, I know you rather would, but I have need for Zarin and without the guard I am not sure what the cityfolk would do to you. I’d rather not come back to a dead man - or worse. Besides, there is nothing that stops your wife from coming here and teaching your lesson in front of all.” The man sighs in response.
“Then I shall go.”
Zarin unlocks the stocks and releases Mudrick who looks downcast as he ambles off to the north
“We shall have to assume he’s heading home. Garin has already pulled a double shift. I’d rather not have him fall asleep at the gate,” Vanzetta says. Zarin nods at him.
“I shall replace him while you find the man responsible.”
“Would that it were so simple, Zarin. I have other things that must be tackled first. Only after that may I search for...” Vanzetta breaks off and looks as though he’s listening to something. “It is as I was afraid. We shall have to deal with Roland first. He is in Beggars Field tormenting the newcomers. Zarin, replace your brother at the gate. Velof and I will deal with Roland.” Zarin nods and heads for the castle gate while you follow Vanzetta to Beggar’s Field.
You first see Roland standing over a man that is cowering on the ground. You’re not sure what was going on as Roland raises his head and sees the two of you approach. He smirks.
“Did ya find the present I left ya?”
Vanzetta doesn’t even pause as he marches up to Roland and punches him, causing Roland to fall onto his back.
“Your dispute with me is between you and I, Roland. Leave Velof out of it and leave these people alone.”
“My dispute with Velof has not to do with you, freak,” Roland replies then spits out a tooth. Blood trickles from his mouth. “Do you think you are so important that all I have time for is to argue with your ‘friends’? As for these ‘people’ they shouldn’t even be here. We have not the supplies for them. Because of them, we - the real townspeople - will go hungry.”
“We shall not ...” Vanzetta pauses and looks around. “This is not the place for this and I don’t have the time.”
“You never have the time to deal with the real issues of the city, do you ‘captain’,” Roland spits out as he stands up. “You’re always trying to save the world. Well, my world starts with this city and yours should too.” He then turns to you. “The snake’s not even poisonous,” he snarls. “I may scare people, but I would never truly harm them.”
You glance at the man still cowering on the ground before you respond.
You cast cure minor on Roland, stopping the bleeding. “You should not meddle in business that is not yours. You will gain rank faster if you show respect to others and the responsibility your post requires.” You then turn to the cowering man again. “Are you alright?”
“Ay,” the man replies and you help him to his feat, “though not for lack of trying on your guard’s part.”
“I apologize for my man,” Vanzetta says. “I assure you, he will be rightfully punished for what he did.” That seems to please the man.
“I was only doing my...” Roland begins, but Vanzetta shuts him up with a look. It seems Roland can learn, it just takes a beating to get it into his thick skull.
“Larin has been sent to the castle gate in your place. YOU will go guard the stocks.”
“But...” Roland begins, but Vanzetta snarls at him.
“I have had enough of you, Roland. Just do as I say without argument. How your father ever put up with you, I will never know.”
Roland looks as though he is about to respond, but instead pushes between you and Vanzetta and walks away.
“You’re still going to let him guard after what he did?” the other man asks.
“Currently I have no choice. Don’t worry, he will be punished.”
“Punished when you have ‘time’? What sort of argument is that? If you had a child would you wait until he burned himself before telling him not to go near fire?”
“I tell you, sir, I know what I am doing.” He turns to you. “We must be off.” The two of you head off to Marie. As soon as you get to her he turns to you again. “General, I am not sure how you kept control of your guards in Aresia, but here force is the only thing that matters. Next time do not underhand my authority by healing a man I have just shown my strength to.”
“I am sorry,” you reply, “I was obligated to do so. It would be against my values if I had not. And when I became General there was no guard left. All that was left was a single legion of men to face thirty-thousand of Gannon’s forces. We held off the siege for twelve days, but there were too many.” You look down to the ground as your face darkens.
Vanzetta looks confused. “From how my cousin spoke of you before I left, I had assumed you were more important to her than that.” He pauses as if waiting for a response, but then continues. “You’re right, we have no time to talk now. Marie will see you to the king’s caravan where you must convince him to come here in haste for his life is in danger. Tonight I will approach you as the Nightmare to protect the caravan as I can for the king will be safe here.”
You get on the Asperi Vanzetta takes her face in his hands and puts his forehead against hers, staring into her eyes.
“She knows what to do,” he says as he steps away.
A second later the two of you are air born. You’ve ridden on the Nightmare before, but the Asperi is something different. Her flying seems to be much more natural than the Nightmare and she flies much higher making for a much smoother flight, though the air up here is a bit thin and cold, you don’t seem to mind much.
About a half hour later, she begins to fly lower and lower until you can make out the tops of the trees below you. In the distance you see something traveling on the road. The Asperi hovers and begins looking around. You’re not sure what she’s thinking but it’s either trying to find a place to hide, or looking to make sure there is nothing else coming this way. Then her head straightens out and you see a small army approaching the thing on the road from the west. Suddenly the Asperi begins to move again, this time even faster than she had been flying before. It’s as though she needs to get to the road before the army does. In seconds you see why. The thing you’d seen on the road at a distance is the king’s caravan. The army is Gannon’s.
The Asperi lands in front of the caravan and rears up, causing the driver of the caravan to stop the horses. Before you can even think about getting off the Asperi, she gallops around to the back of the caravan wagon and kneels before one of the men walking behind it.